WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.000
When we are close to launch, we have at least one pretend countdown with the spacecraft

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.000


00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:10.000
I'm John Hueckel. I work as a launch site integration manager with NASA's Launch Services Program.

00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:17.000
I get the processing facilities and all the services ready for a spacecraft when it is here at  Kennedy Space Center.

00:00:17.000 --> 00:00:22.000
When a spacecraft arrives at KSC, it is never ready to go right on top of the rocket.

00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:28.000
Here at the space center, the spacecraft team will finish building the spacecraft: putting the last parts of the spacecraft together,

00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:33.000
loading propellant into the fuel tanks, checking that the spacecraft and the ground control center

00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:37.000
can communicate with each other, and finishing up spacecraft testing and checkout.

00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:43.000
They need a place to do all this. That's where I come in.  I set up their home away from home.

00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:48.000
I usually start working with the spacecraft team about three years before launch.

00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:54.000
When a spacecraft arrives here at KSC, it takes about 60 days to get it ready for launch.

00:00:54.000 --> 00:00:59.000
When the the team is here, they will need lots of things like communications and telemetry support,

00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:08.000
contamination control, special gasses, solvents, propellants, as well as desks with phones and computer hookups.

00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:12.000
I also help the spacecraft team follow the rules here at the space center.

00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:18.000
While they are back home building their spacecraft, I am busy at KSC getting all their procedures approved,

00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:24.000
safety documents reviewed, and lining up all the services they will need when they arrive.

00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:28.000
My job takes me all over the space center and to off-site facilities too.

00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:34.000
I might be working with propellant engineers, then off to arrange for aircraft landing support and discuss where to put

00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:38.000
all the spacecraft's support equipment with the people who take care of the facility.

00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:42.000
Then I might finish up the day working with safety engineers.

00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:48.000
Sometimes I might spend a week researching something the spacecraft team needs. Each day is different.

00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:55.000
Once the spacecraft and its team arrive, the real fun begins and I get to watch all my hard work and planning put to use.

00:01:55.000 --> 00:02:00.000
Sometimes extra support is needed that the spacecraft team and I did not plan for.

00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:11.000
It is usually something completely unexpected and we work through and solve the problem if and when it comes up.

00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:14.000
team to give them some practice before the real launch countdown.

00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:20.000
On launch day, my call sign is NSC, which stands for NASA Spacecraft Coordinator.

00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:28.000
I'm in the firing room keeping the spacecraft team on track with the countdown. After launch, I'm on to my next mission with a new spacecraft,

00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:33.000
new team and new challenges to work through. My job is never boring.

00:02:33.000 --> 00:02:39.000
This is an exciting time for NASA. We are getting ready to send robots and people back to the moon and beyond.

00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:45.000
It will take years to accomplish this and NASA will need a new generation of scientists and engineers to get us there.

00:02:45.000 --> 00:02:51.000
Imagine, it could be you!

00:02:51.000 --> 00:02:56.000